Just a walk in the park for Billy and Al says Hayden can take a lot of credit for win No. 20
By Barry Lichter • 26 September 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is looking forward to seeing what Billy Lincoln can do in stronger company after his leg-in-the-air domination at Albion Park today.
Having his first start in Queensland, Billy Lincoln was taken straight to the front by driver Hayden Barnes who never moved on the horse in the run home to win by nearly 10 metres, justifying his $1.22 favouritism.
It was the 20th race Barnes has won for Lincoln Farms this year and one of the easiest, signalling there’s plenty more to come from the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old.
“His heart rate was low afterwards which showed he didn’t have to overly exert himself.
“I know he didn’t run any time but what I liked was how easily he did it.”
Billy Lincoln has gears left as he distances his rivals at Albion Park today.Cruising along in front, Billy Lincoln only had to run his last 800 metres in 58.2 and 400 in 28.6 to down Montana Nights, owned by Al Barnes himself and driven by his other son Brendan. His mile rate for the 2138 metres was a moderate 1:58.7.
“I wasn’t sure how he’d go over 2138 metres, because he wasn’t hitting the line in New Zealand, but he ran it out really strongly.
“Hayden was really happy with the run and that’s great for him because a bit of work and effort on his part has gone into sorting out a few of the horse’s niggles.
“We’ve been working on his confidence to make him feel good about what he’s doing.
“We pulled up his hopples because he was reaching for them in his trial and he had go-straights on to help him balance and keep him off his knee.
“He still did a bit wrong, he was on one rein a bit and ducking in, so he has a lot of improvement in him.”
Billy Lincoln first, daylight second.Barnes says Billy Lincoln will have another couple of easy kills before he faces anything of any consequence, especially after the respect he would gain from today’s annihilation.
“I’m looking forward to him having a harder run to see what he can and can’t do.
“But this time next year we’ll have a different horse on our hands. He’s a big kid at the moment and has a lot of growing up to do.”
Billy Lincoln became the fifth individual winner Barnes has trained for Lincoln Farms after Trojan Banner (7 wins), Lincoln’s Girl (4 wins), Vasari (4 wins) and Northview Hustler (4 wins).
“Now we just have to win with Sir Tiger tomorrow to make everyone happy.”
Sir Tiger races at 4.54pm NZ time.
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Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Cambridge
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm
“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm
“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”
Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm
“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm
“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”
